To the Strongest proving to be very popular at my place

The table in the midst of my game with the Gallic Chieftan Benattaxic

The last game between the boys ended up as a narrow Gallic victory with Alex coming back from having one medal left to Bens six and pulling one out of the hat.  Great fun game.

As a change up Ben took the Gauls whilst I took command of the Romans in another game. Looking pretty close again.

Gallic Warriors on the rampage

Impact imminent in this one 

Another weekend and another opportunity to further the quiet wargaming immersion of the two young men in the house experiencing these strange times.  To be truthful, it’s all working a treat!

The last week saw us play three games between us with a win for everyone except me. Perfect result to be honest as it keeps them very keen. Actually they are pretty keen anyway.

So it gave me the opportunity and the incentive to base up the Principate Romans that I’ve had painted and waiting to be given some attention.   These Romans, Early Imperial as it used to be called in my old WRG days, is what I always considered to be the quintessential Romans, based up very easily.  The lads, who both were brought up on Asterix books, agreed.

I just wanted to put a few photos up as the game is at a very critical mid-point. They are starting to use some of the more subtle aspects of the rules which is great. So far I’ve been discouraging reading camps and not using stratagems so they can simply continue to learn the rules . Camps begone fair game next game...that will be interesting.

1806 Prussian reinforcements

Horse Artillery ready for action. Oh those dashing Prussians!

The increased time inside has certainly helped get some more projects completed on the hobby side of things. Working from home has actually been quite hectic however the increased “down time” saved from travelling etc. has given me those extra precious hours to dig into the lead pile and restart some stalled projects.

My Prussian 1806 collection has been added to as you can see. All Miniatures are from Elite Australia and mate Nathan. He is a good lad and looks after all Australian and Kiwi requirements for his excellent range of figures designed by Peter Moreby.

Foot arillery

Fusiliers based for skirmishing in GdA

The full battery of Horse Artillery

Foot battery with a file of some line musketeers marching past

Prussian Jagers - lovely figures.

I personally think that Elite Miniatures  are figures that benefit from a slightly exaggerated layered painting style due to their design and sculpting. Everyone who visits this blog would realise that the 1805-07 project of mine will be 90% made up of Elites. They look so good en masse.

These are lovely sculpts from Elite Miniatures 

A slightly wider view of the Foot battery showing the form of basing I’m using for this period

I’ll have these lads on the table for an introductory game of Napoleonics using General D’Armee with Ben. Great having Wargamers in the house at times like these.

A Roman triumph in TtS

The Light Column of the Romans has done its job

Well the game was played out to the finish and though the Sassanids fought it out, inflicting incredible damage whilst only having one victory medal in the pocket, it was a mighty Roman victory.

A Legio breaks through the line

The Sassanids look to turn the Roman left however they are meeting very stiff resistance

Some raw Legionnaires look to make their mark with some gentle prompting by their General

The gap that has formed on the Roman left

On the Roman right the Light Column is raising merry hell!

Bowmen run for their lives

Saravan, or as I used to call them in WRG days, Clibanarri, hit the Roman Equites in the flank

During the excitement the photos became secondary as Alex fought like a Tasmanian devil to hand on and pull victory out of the mouth of defeat.  Alas it was not to be.

A good sound tactical win by Ben with promises of rematches ringing all the way down the stairs.

Wonderful!!

Sassanids start “The Strongest”!

The banter starts early!

Well the timelines, schedules and “pink moons” aligned so that both Number 1 and 2 sons (they can argue whose who) were ready for their first game of “To the Strongest “.

The view from the Roman left

Cataracts deployed across from rough ground always ends up in tears!

A view across the cavalry dominated Roman left

The view across from the Persian right

Love these battle mats

The Sassanid right flank advances rapidly

A view of the central Sassanid Command and their baggage

The Romans send a flying column of auxiliaries and veteran lights to take on the enemy

Action on the left

Heavy action across the entire centre

Things go well for the Romans however the Sassanids are relatively untouched

Beautiful spectacle and both young men are now fully engrossed 

A unit of Equites Illyricani is destroyed 

Allowing the Sassanid Saravan to turn and view the Roman flank 

Action continues on the Roman  right

A view down the table

That elephant needs support as the Romans continue to fight hard

What a great start to the battle. All three of us are having a great time and there is a lot of action left in this particular battle that’s for sure.  Action scheduled for conclusion over the weekend.